Re: [Flexradio] 5000A and PSDR 2.4.4 - 2M transverter above 146 mhz?
So to make a long story short, I found three things to be true: (1) My brand-new DSO needs a trip to the cal lab. (big surprise) (2) My 5000A's transverter *output* appears to be flat to within 1 dB (measured 0.9 dB) from 28-32 mHz (3) It's too late and tired out to play with the receiver tonight. So - Assuming the transverter input holds up as well as the output does, then the 5000A itself will work fine. I also found that with the exception of the old Yaesu FTV-XXX (bandswitched) designs and perhaps a few others, transverters are basically designed to cover the CW/SSB/DX parts of the band(s) only. That makes sense, since the more narrow you make the receiver, the better it can be made to perform. Perhaps two switched helical filters instead of one fixed one? Interesting exercise, anyway. 73, Jim N7CXI On 11/28/2012 11:06 PM, Jim Barber wrote: Hi Bill, thanks for the reply. I don't have anything that will measure power accurately those levels, but my 100mHz DSO should have relatively constant gain across that narrow a spread, and I can certainly measure RF voltage into a 50-ohm load. If I get time in the next couple of days I'll build a 50-ohm scope tap/load with a BNC on it and see what happens. The 5000A transverter RX is easier. I have a WaveTek generator with a fairly recent cal - I can sweep 28-32mHz at 50uV (or perhaps less to make sure the AGC stays out of it) and again see what happens. I'm not looking for trouble here - it just seems like a reasonable application for the 5000A, or perhaps the 1500. I haven't actually *used* 2M or 70cM FM in a couple of years now, but since I'm looking into it, why not go for it all? 73, Jim N7CXI On 11/28/2012 10:15 PM, Bill Bordy, NJ1H wrote: Jim, I am using an old Downeast Microwave 2 meter transceiver with my Flex-5000A using the Flex XCVR 10 meter IF connections. I have a pretty severe roll off on TX output from the transceiver in the satellite portion of 2 meters. At this point, I don't know if it is the transceiver or the 10M IF output. I am able to use the satellite 2M transmit frequencies, 145.8 to 146 MHz, but the output from the transceiver is nowhere near the 25W I can get at 144.200 MHz. The transceiver appears to be optimized for 144.2 MHz. I operate full duplex on the satellites and my audio quality sounds fine. I have transmitted above 146 MHz on the inputs of some FM repeaters. The roll off of the TX output is of course worst the higher in frequency I go. This is a low priority item for me, as I have 2M FM gear and rarely use it. I am using PowerSDR v2.4.4. I need to characterize the 10M IF output power from 28 to 32 MHz to see how flat it is. If someone has done this or has the right equipment to measure easily, that would be great. 73, Bill NJ1H On 11/28/2012 10:57 PM, Jim Barber wrote: I read in the release notes for PSDR 2.4.4 that: 12. Improved FLEX-5000 Transverter Operation. Band edge checking for the transverter IF has been relaxed, allowing out of ham band IF transmit on the transverter TX port. Also the 10m IF TX filter switch point has been moved to 32 MHz to allow for a wider IF transmit capabilities. Relaxed to what, and what is the practical upper limit? I saw where someone else asked this, but didn't find where it had been answered. My reason for asking is that I'd like to be able to use my 5000A with a transverter to cover the entire 2M band all-mode. Is that feasible? The radio transverter port(s) would need to work to 32 mHz with *reasonable* gain flatness, and I'd have to find a transverter that would cover the whole 4 mHz as well. Has anyone accomplished this and have it working? If so, what transverter are you using? I could go ferret most of this out on my own, but I'd like to know what limits the company intends to support, so I don't end up with a hole in my foot when PSDR is updated. Then the last question is if I decide to offload the VHF/UHF ops to a Flex 1500, are the rules and requirements different? So many questions... ;-) Thanks, Jim N7CXI ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] 5000A and PSDR 2.4.4 - 2M transverter above 146 mhz?
The upper end TX filter switch point on the FLEX-5000 with PowerSDR v2.4.4 is 32 MHz. Tim Ellison On 11/29/2012 6:15 AM, Jim Barber wrote: So to make a long story short, I found three things to be true: (1) My brand-new DSO needs a trip to the cal lab. (big surprise) (2) My 5000A's transverter *output* appears to be flat to within 1 dB (measured 0.9 dB) from 28-32 mHz (3) It's too late and tired out to play with the receiver tonight. So - Assuming the transverter input holds up as well as the output does, then the 5000A itself will work fine. I also found that with the exception of the old Yaesu FTV-XXX (bandswitched) designs and perhaps a few others, transverters are basically designed to cover the CW/SSB/DX parts of the band(s) only. That makes sense, since the more narrow you make the receiver, the better it can be made to perform. Perhaps two switched helical filters instead of one fixed one? Interesting exercise, anyway. 73, Jim N7CXI On 11/28/2012 11:06 PM, Jim Barber wrote: Hi Bill, thanks for the reply. I don't have anything that will measure power accurately those levels, but my 100mHz DSO should have relatively constant gain across that narrow a spread, and I can certainly measure RF voltage into a 50-ohm load. If I get time in the next couple of days I'll build a 50-ohm scope tap/load with a BNC on it and see what happens. The 5000A transverter RX is easier. I have a WaveTek generator with a fairly recent cal - I can sweep 28-32mHz at 50uV (or perhaps less to make sure the AGC stays out of it) and again see what happens. I'm not looking for trouble here - it just seems like a reasonable application for the 5000A, or perhaps the 1500. I haven't actually *used* 2M or 70cM FM in a couple of years now, but since I'm looking into it, why not go for it all? 73, Jim N7CXI On 11/28/2012 10:15 PM, Bill Bordy, NJ1H wrote: Jim, I am using an old Downeast Microwave 2 meter transceiver with my Flex-5000A using the Flex XCVR 10 meter IF connections. I have a pretty severe roll off on TX output from the transceiver in the satellite portion of 2 meters. At this point, I don't know if it is the transceiver or the 10M IF output. I am able to use the satellite 2M transmit frequencies, 145.8 to 146 MHz, but the output from the transceiver is nowhere near the 25W I can get at 144.200 MHz. The transceiver appears to be optimized for 144.2 MHz. I operate full duplex on the satellites and my audio quality sounds fine. I have transmitted above 146 MHz on the inputs of some FM repeaters. The roll off of the TX output is of course worst the higher in frequency I go. This is a low priority item for me, as I have 2M FM gear and rarely use it. I am using PowerSDR v2.4.4. I need to characterize the 10M IF output power from 28 to 32 MHz to see how flat it is. If someone has done this or has the right equipment to measure easily, that would be great. 73, Bill NJ1H On 11/28/2012 10:57 PM, Jim Barber wrote: I read in the release notes for PSDR 2.4.4 that: 12. Improved FLEX-5000 Transverter Operation. Band edge checking for the transverter IF has been relaxed, allowing out of ham band IF transmit on the transverter TX port. Also the 10m IF TX filter switch point has been moved to 32 MHz to allow for a wider IF transmit capabilities. Relaxed to what, and what is the practical upper limit? I saw where someone else asked this, but didn't find where it had been answered. My reason for asking is that I'd like to be able to use my 5000A with a transverter to cover the entire 2M band all-mode. Is that feasible? The radio transverter port(s) would need to work to 32 mHz with *reasonable* gain flatness, and I'd have to find a transverter that would cover the whole 4 mHz as well. Has anyone accomplished this and have it working? If so, what transverter are you using? I could go ferret most of this out on my own, but I'd like to know what limits the company intends to support, so I don't end up with a hole in my foot when PSDR is updated. Then the last question is if I decide to offload the VHF/UHF ops to a Flex 1500, are the rules and requirements different? So many questions... ;-) Thanks, Jim N7CXI ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
Re: [Flexradio] 5000A and PSDR 2.4.4 - 2M transverter above 146 mhz?
It went right up to 31.99 without any trouble. I didn't bother to stretch a cable over to the spectrum analyzer, but output the didn't look suspicious and I was tired. Now- what's the equivalent info for the 1500? Thanks, Jim N7CXI On 11/29/2012 5:40 AM, Tim Ellison wrote: The upper end TX filter switch point on the FLEX-5000 with PowerSDR v2.4.4 is 32 MHz. Tim Ellison On 11/29/2012 6:15 AM, Jim Barber wrote: So to make a long story short, I found three things to be true: (1) My brand-new DSO needs a trip to the cal lab. (big surprise) (2) My 5000A's transverter *output* appears to be flat to within 1 dB (measured 0.9 dB) from 28-32 mHz (3) It's too late and tired out to play with the receiver tonight. So - Assuming the transverter input holds up as well as the output does, then the 5000A itself will work fine. I also found that with the exception of the old Yaesu FTV-XXX (bandswitched) designs and perhaps a few others, transverters are basically designed to cover the CW/SSB/DX parts of the band(s) only. That makes sense, since the more narrow you make the receiver, the better it can be made to perform. Perhaps two switched helical filters instead of one fixed one? Interesting exercise, anyway. 73, Jim N7CXI On 11/28/2012 11:06 PM, Jim Barber wrote: Hi Bill, thanks for the reply. I don't have anything that will measure power accurately those levels, but my 100mHz DSO should have relatively constant gain across that narrow a spread, and I can certainly measure RF voltage into a 50-ohm load. If I get time in the next couple of days I'll build a 50-ohm scope tap/load with a BNC on it and see what happens. The 5000A transverter RX is easier. I have a WaveTek generator with a fairly recent cal - I can sweep 28-32mHz at 50uV (or perhaps less to make sure the AGC stays out of it) and again see what happens. I'm not looking for trouble here - it just seems like a reasonable application for the 5000A, or perhaps the 1500. I haven't actually *used* 2M or 70cM FM in a couple of years now, but since I'm looking into it, why not go for it all? 73, Jim N7CXI On 11/28/2012 10:15 PM, Bill Bordy, NJ1H wrote: Jim, I am using an old Downeast Microwave 2 meter transceiver with my Flex-5000A using the Flex XCVR 10 meter IF connections. I have a pretty severe roll off on TX output from the transceiver in the satellite portion of 2 meters. At this point, I don't know if it is the transceiver or the 10M IF output. I am able to use the satellite 2M transmit frequencies, 145.8 to 146 MHz, but the output from the transceiver is nowhere near the 25W I can get at 144.200 MHz. The transceiver appears to be optimized for 144.2 MHz. I operate full duplex on the satellites and my audio quality sounds fine. I have transmitted above 146 MHz on the inputs of some FM repeaters. The roll off of the TX output is of course worst the higher in frequency I go. This is a low priority item for me, as I have 2M FM gear and rarely use it. I am using PowerSDR v2.4.4. I need to characterize the 10M IF output power from 28 to 32 MHz to see how flat it is. If someone has done this or has the right equipment to measure easily, that would be great. 73, Bill NJ1H On 11/28/2012 10:57 PM, Jim Barber wrote: I read in the release notes for PSDR 2.4.4 that: 12. Improved FLEX-5000 Transverter Operation. Band edge checking for the transverter IF has been relaxed, allowing out of ham band IF transmit on the transverter TX port. Also the 10m IF TX filter switch point has been moved to 32 MHz to allow for a wider IF transmit capabilities. Relaxed to what, and what is the practical upper limit? I saw where someone else asked this, but didn't find where it had been answered. My reason for asking is that I'd like to be able to use my 5000A with a transverter to cover the entire 2M band all-mode. Is that feasible? The radio transverter port(s) would need to work to 32 mHz with *reasonable* gain flatness, and I'd have to find a transverter that would cover the whole 4 mHz as well. Has anyone accomplished this and have it working? If so, what transverter are you using? I could go ferret most of this out on my own, but I'd like to know what limits the company intends to support, so I don't end up with a hole in my foot when PSDR is updated. Then the last question is if I decide to offload the VHF/UHF ops to a Flex 1500, are the rules and requirements different? So many questions... ;-) Thanks, Jim N7CXI ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives:
Re: [Flexradio] 5000A and PSDR 2.4.4 - 2M transverter above 146 mhz?
If you are running the 1500 in the 0 dBm transverter mode, then the band pass filter edges in the vicinity of 10 Meters, switch at 25.3 MHz, and at 37.6 MHz. If you are trying to use the 5 Watt PA, then it will stop transmitting at the top of the 10 Meter band (29.7 MHz). --- Graham == On Thu, Nov 29, 2012 at 2:06 PM, Jim Barber audio...@q.com wrote: It went right up to 31.99 without any trouble. I didn't bother to stretch a cable over to the spectrum analyzer, but output the didn't look suspicious and I was tired. Now- what's the equivalent info for the 1500? Thanks, Jim N7CXI On 11/29/2012 5:40 AM, Tim Ellison wrote: The upper end TX filter switch point on the FLEX-5000 with PowerSDR v2.4.4 is 32 MHz. Tim Ellison On 11/29/2012 6:15 AM, Jim Barber wrote: So to make a long story short, I found three things to be true: (1) My brand-new DSO needs a trip to the cal lab. (big surprise) (2) My 5000A's transverter *output* appears to be flat to within 1 dB (measured 0.9 dB) from 28-32 mHz (3) It's too late and tired out to play with the receiver tonight. So - Assuming the transverter input holds up as well as the output does, then the 5000A itself will work fine. I also found that with the exception of the old Yaesu FTV-XXX (bandswitched) designs and perhaps a few others, transverters are basically designed to cover the CW/SSB/DX parts of the band(s) only. That makes sense, since the more narrow you make the receiver, the better it can be made to perform. Perhaps two switched helical filters instead of one fixed one? Interesting exercise, anyway. 73, Jim N7CXI On 11/28/2012 11:06 PM, Jim Barber wrote: Hi Bill, thanks for the reply. I don't have anything that will measure power accurately those levels, but my 100mHz DSO should have relatively constant gain across that narrow a spread, and I can certainly measure RF voltage into a 50-ohm load. If I get time in the next couple of days I'll build a 50-ohm scope tap/load with a BNC on it and see what happens. The 5000A transverter RX is easier. I have a WaveTek generator with a fairly recent cal - I can sweep 28-32mHz at 50uV (or perhaps less to make sure the AGC stays out of it) and again see what happens. I'm not looking for trouble here - it just seems like a reasonable application for the 5000A, or perhaps the 1500. I haven't actually *used* 2M or 70cM FM in a couple of years now, but since I'm looking into it, why not go for it all? 73, Jim N7CXI On 11/28/2012 10:15 PM, Bill Bordy, NJ1H wrote: Jim, I am using an old Downeast Microwave 2 meter transceiver with my Flex-5000A using the Flex XCVR 10 meter IF connections. I have a pretty severe roll off on TX output from the transceiver in the satellite portion of 2 meters. At this point, I don't know if it is the transceiver or the 10M IF output. I am able to use the satellite 2M transmit frequencies, 145.8 to 146 MHz, but the output from the transceiver is nowhere near the 25W I can get at 144.200 MHz. The transceiver appears to be optimized for 144.2 MHz. I operate full duplex on the satellites and my audio quality sounds fine. I have transmitted above 146 MHz on the inputs of some FM repeaters. The roll off of the TX output is of course worst the higher in frequency I go. This is a low priority item for me, as I have 2M FM gear and rarely use it. I am using PowerSDR v2.4.4. I need to characterize the 10M IF output power from 28 to 32 MHz to see how flat it is. If someone has done this or has the right equipment to measure easily, that would be great. 73, Bill NJ1H On 11/28/2012 10:57 PM, Jim Barber wrote: I read in the release notes for PSDR 2.4.4 that: 12. Improved FLEX-5000 Transverter Operation. Band edge checking for the transverter IF has been relaxed, allowing out of ham band IF transmit on the transverter TX port. Also the 10m IF TX filter switch point has been moved to 32 MHz to allow for a wider IF transmit capabilities. Relaxed to what, and what is the practical upper limit? I saw where someone else asked this, but didn't find where it had been answered. My reason for asking is that I'd like to be able to use my 5000A with a transverter to cover the entire 2M band all-mode. Is that feasible? The radio transverter port(s) would need to work to 32 mHz with *reasonable* gain flatness, and I'd have to find a transverter that would cover the whole 4 mHz as well. Has anyone accomplished this and have it working? If so, what transverter are you using? I could go ferret most of this out on my own, but I'd like to know what limits the company intends to support, so I don't end up with a hole in my foot when PSDR is updated. Then the last question is if I decide to offload the VHF/UHF ops to a Flex 1500, are the rules and requirements different? So many questions... ;-) Thanks, Jim N7CXI __**_ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List
Re: [Flexradio] 5000A and PSDR 2.4.4 - 2M transverter above 146 mhz?
Thanks Graham Tim. I would only need it to go to 31.99 mHz, so everything should be ok. Now to find an appropriate transverter, assuming such a thing exists. 73, Jim N7CXI On 11/29/2012 12:32 PM, Graham Haddock wrote: If you are running the 1500 in the 0 dBm transverter mode, then the band pass filter edges in the vicinity of 10 Meters, switch at 25.3 MHz, and at 37.6 MHz. If you are trying to use the 5 Watt PA, then it will stop transmitting at the top of the 10 Meter band (29.7 MHz). --- Graham == On Thu, Nov 29, 2012 at 2:06 PM, Jim Barber audio...@q.com mailto:audio...@q.com wrote: It went right up to 31.99 without any trouble. I didn't bother to stretch a cable over to the spectrum analyzer, but output the didn't look suspicious and I was tired. Now- what's the equivalent info for the 1500? Thanks, Jim N7CXI On 11/29/2012 5:40 AM, Tim Ellison wrote: The upper end TX filter switch point on the FLEX-5000 with PowerSDR v2.4.4 is 32 MHz. Tim Ellison On 11/29/2012 6:15 AM, Jim Barber wrote: So to make a long story short, I found three things to be true: (1) My brand-new DSO needs a trip to the cal lab. (big surprise) (2) My 5000A's transverter *output* appears to be flat to within 1 dB (measured 0.9 dB) from 28-32 mHz (3) It's too late and tired out to play with the receiver tonight. So - Assuming the transverter input holds up as well as the output does, then the 5000A itself will work fine. I also found that with the exception of the old Yaesu FTV-XXX (bandswitched) designs and perhaps a few others, transverters are basically designed to cover the CW/SSB/DX parts of the band(s) only. That makes sense, since the more narrow you make the receiver, the better it can be made to perform. Perhaps two switched helical filters instead of one fixed one? Interesting exercise, anyway. 73, Jim N7CXI On 11/28/2012 11:06 PM, Jim Barber wrote: Hi Bill, thanks for the reply. I don't have anything that will measure power accurately those levels, but my 100mHz DSO should have relatively constant gain across that narrow a spread, and I can certainly measure RF voltage into a 50-ohm load. If I get time in the next couple of days I'll build a 50-ohm scope tap/load with a BNC on it and see what happens. The 5000A transverter RX is easier. I have a WaveTek generator with a fairly recent cal - I can sweep 28-32mHz at 50uV (or perhaps less to make sure the AGC stays out of it) and again see what happens. I'm not looking for trouble here - it just seems like a reasonable application for the 5000A, or perhaps the 1500. I haven't actually *used* 2M or 70cM FM in a couple of years now, but since I'm looking into it, why not go for it all? 73, Jim N7CXI On 11/28/2012 10:15 PM, Bill Bordy, NJ1H wrote: Jim, I am using an old Downeast Microwave 2 meter transceiver with my Flex-5000A using the Flex XCVR 10 meter IF connections. I have a pretty severe roll off on TX output from the transceiver in the satellite portion of 2 meters. At this point, I don't know if it is the transceiver or the 10M IF output. I am able to use the satellite 2M transmit frequencies, 145.8 to 146 MHz, but the output from the transceiver is nowhere near the 25W I can get at 144.200 MHz. The transceiver appears to be optimized for 144.2 MHz. I operate full duplex on the satellites and my audio quality sounds fine. I have transmitted above 146 MHz on the inputs of some FM repeaters. The roll off of the TX output is of course worst the higher in frequency I go. This is a low priority item for me, as I have 2M FM gear and rarely use it. I am using PowerSDR v2.4.4. I need to
Re: [Flexradio] 5000A and PSDR 2.4.4 - 2M transverter above 146 mhz?
Since this list is archived, I must make the following obvious correction. I should have said Downeast Microwave 2 meter transverter instead of transceiver. 73, Bill NJ1H On 11/29/2012 1:15 AM, Bill Bordy, NJ1H wrote: Jim, I am using an old Downeast Microwave 2 meter transceiver with my Flex-5000A using the Flex XCVR 10 meter IF connections. I have a pretty severe roll off on TX output from the transceiver in the satellite portion of 2 meters. At this point, I don't know if it is the transceiver or the 10M IF output. I am able to use the satellite 2M transmit frequencies, 145.8 to 146 MHz, but the output from the transceiver is nowhere near the 25W I can get at 144.200 MHz. The transceiver appears to be optimized for 144.2 MHz. I operate full duplex on the satellites and my audio quality sounds fine. I have transmitted above 146 MHz on the inputs of some FM repeaters. The roll off of the TX output is of course worst the higher in frequency I go. This is a low priority item for me, as I have 2M FM gear and rarely use it. I am using PowerSDR v2.4.4. I need to characterize the 10M IF output power from 28 to 32 MHz to see how flat it is. If someone has done this or has the right equipment to measure easily, that would be great. 73, Bill NJ1H On 11/28/2012 10:57 PM, Jim Barber wrote: I read in the release notes for PSDR 2.4.4 that: 12. Improved FLEX-5000 Transverter Operation. Band edge checking for the transverter IF has been relaxed, allowing out of ham band IF transmit on the transverter TX port. Also the 10m IF TX filter switch point has been moved to 32 MHz to allow for a wider IF transmit capabilities. Relaxed to what, and what is the practical upper limit? I saw where someone else asked this, but didn't find where it had been answered. My reason for asking is that I'd like to be able to use my 5000A with a transverter to cover the entire 2M band all-mode. Is that feasible? The radio transverter port(s) would need to work to 32 mHz with *reasonable* gain flatness, and I'd have to find a transverter that would cover the whole 4 mHz as well. Has anyone accomplished this and have it working? If so, what transverter are you using? I could go ferret most of this out on my own, but I'd like to know what limits the company intends to support, so I don't end up with a hole in my foot when PSDR is updated. Then the last question is if I decide to offload the VHF/UHF ops to a Flex 1500, are the rules and requirements different? So many questions... ;-) Thanks, Jim N7CXI ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] 5000A and PSDR 2.4.4 - 2M transverter above 146 mhz?
If you find one Jim, let us know. I've never worked with transverters before even when I was back in the satellite game. When I had my first 1500, I had visions of getting an Elecraft one but like so many of my ham radio dreams, it never happened. What's out there besides the Elecraft and DEM models anyway? Michael, W4HIJ On 11/29/2012 3:59 PM, Jim Barber wrote: Thanks Graham Tim. I would only need it to go to 31.99 mHz, so everything should be ok. Now to find an appropriate transverter, assuming such a thing exists. 73, Jim N7CXI On 11/29/2012 12:32 PM, Graham Haddock wrote: If you are running the 1500 in the 0 dBm transverter mode, then the band pass filter edges in the vicinity of 10 Meters, switch at 25.3 MHz, and at 37.6 MHz. If you are trying to use the 5 Watt PA, then it will stop transmitting at the top of the 10 Meter band (29.7 MHz). --- Graham == On Thu, Nov 29, 2012 at 2:06 PM, Jim Barber audio...@q.com mailto:audio...@q.com wrote: It went right up to 31.99 without any trouble. I didn't bother to stretch a cable over to the spectrum analyzer, but output the didn't look suspicious and I was tired. Now- what's the equivalent info for the 1500? Thanks, Jim N7CXI ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] 5000A and PSDR 2.4.4 - 2M transverter above 146 mhz?
Will do, Michael. FWIW, SSB Electronic is the only major supplier you didn't already name. TenTec and others used to supply transverters, but that was before the days of plentiful DC to Daylight(TM) transceivers. I *could* use just about any of those, but I'm hooked on the Flex features. What I really want is my 5K running HF on one monitor and a 1500 running a selection of transverters on another monitor, same CPU. It looks like the Flex rigs and PSDR will do it, but the existing transverters sacrifice bandwidth for noise figure and other receiver specs, so don't cover the FM segments as well as CW/SSB/Oscar. With the exception of the Flex rigs they probably don't need to cover the whole band to meet the market. Or so I assume. :-) 73, Jim N7CXI On 11/29/2012 4:38 PM, Michael Tondee wrote: If you find one Jim, let us know. I've never worked with transverters before even when I was back in the satellite game. When I had my first 1500, I had visions of getting an Elecraft one but like so many of my ham radio dreams, it never happened. What's out there besides the Elecraft and DEM models anyway? Michael, W4HIJ On 11/29/2012 3:59 PM, Jim Barber wrote: Thanks Graham Tim. I would only need it to go to 31.99 mHz, so everything should be ok. Now to find an appropriate transverter, assuming such a thing exists. 73, Jim N7CXI On 11/29/2012 12:32 PM, Graham Haddock wrote: If you are running the 1500 in the 0 dBm transverter mode, then the band pass filter edges in the vicinity of 10 Meters, switch at 25.3 MHz, and at 37.6 MHz. If you are trying to use the 5 Watt PA, then it will stop transmitting at the top of the 10 Meter band (29.7 MHz). --- Graham == On Thu, Nov 29, 2012 at 2:06 PM, Jim Barber audio...@q.com mailto:audio...@q.com wrote: It went right up to 31.99 without any trouble. I didn't bother to stretch a cable over to the spectrum analyzer, but output the didn't look suspicious and I was tired. Now- what's the equivalent info for the 1500? Thanks, Jim N7CXI ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] 5000A and PSDR 2.4.4 - 2M transverter above 146 mhz?
On 29/11/2012 20:30, Jim Barber wrote: . FWIW, SSB Electronic is the only major supplier you didn't already name. Jim You have forgotten to mention Kuhne Electronic who are located in Germany. They make a range of very fine transverters, albeit expensive units. I have their 2m transverter and it is excellent. It too has a range of only 144 to 146MHz. Transverters are mostly designed for weak signal SSB and EME work. They are more sensitive than what is really needed for satellite work. Many commercial rigs do well with satellite communications. http://www.kuhne-electronic.de/en/products/transverter.html Terry ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] 5000A and PSDR 2.4.4 - 2M transverter above 146 mhz?
I think 2M transverters are only for 144-146 because there's a plethora of 2M FM rigs already available, expensive and not expensive, single band and multi-band, mobile and fixed and handheld, new and used, and so on. If you want on FM, you got a large range of options to choose from. Weak signal work is much more demanding technically and operationally, so the customer-base is smaller, so the mass-market cost reductions are just not there. IMHO only. Bob, NZ5A Sent from my iPhone On Nov 29, 2012, at 8:29 PM, Terry Maurice ve3...@execulink.com wrote: On 29/11/2012 20:30, Jim Barber wrote: . FWIW, SSB Electronic is the only major supplier you didn't already name. Jim You have forgotten to mention Kuhne Electronic who are located in Germany. They make a range of very fine transverters, albeit expensive units. I have their 2m transverter and it is excellent. It too has a range of only 144 to 146MHz. Transverters are mostly designed for weak signal SSB and EME work. They are more sensitive than what is really needed for satellite work. Many commercial rigs do well with satellite communications. http://www.kuhne-electronic.de/en/products/transverter.html Terry ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] 5000A and PSDR 2.4.4 - 2M transverter above 146 mhz?
Well... Me, I just want it ALL on a Flex. :-) - and Terry, yes, I forgot Kuhne, sorry. Great rigs. 73, Jim N7CXI On 11/29/2012 7:01 PM, Robert Logan wrote: I think 2M transverters are only for 144-146 because there's a plethora of 2M FM rigs already available, expensive and not expensive, single band and multi-band, mobile and fixed and handheld, new and used, and so on. If you want on FM, you got a large range of options to choose from. Weak signal work is much more demanding technically and operationally, so the customer-base is smaller, so the mass-market cost reductions are just not there. IMHO only. Bob, NZ5A Sent from my iPhone On Nov 29, 2012, at 8:29 PM, Terry Maurice ve3...@execulink.com wrote: On 29/11/2012 20:30, Jim Barber wrote: . FWIW, SSB Electronic is the only major supplier you didn't already name. Jim You have forgotten to mention Kuhne Electronic who are located in Germany. They make a range of very fine transverters, albeit expensive units. I have their 2m transverter and it is excellent. It too has a range of only 144 to 146MHz. Transverters are mostly designed for weak signal SSB and EME work. They are more sensitive than what is really needed for satellite work. Many commercial rigs do well with satellite communications. http://www.kuhne-electronic.de/en/products/transverter.html Terry ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] 5000A and PSDR 2.4.4 - 2M transverter above 146 mhz?
Hey, Jim, so do I! One small box with everything would be great. I'm still waiting for that full-service laptop with a built-in 1500 with internal long-life lithium-ion battery and a built-in charger, either solar or AC. And Bob Sent from my iPhone On Nov 29, 2012, at 9:05 PM, Jim Barber audio...@q.com wrote: Well... Me, I just want it ALL on a Flex. :-) - and Terry, yes, I forgot Kuhne, sorry. Great rigs. 73, Jim N7CXI On 11/29/2012 7:01 PM, Robert Logan wrote: I think 2M transverters are only for 144-146 because there's a plethora of 2M FM rigs already available, expensive and not expensive, single band and multi-band, mobile and fixed and handheld, new and used, and so on. If you want on FM, you got a large range of options to choose from. Weak signal work is much more demanding technically and operationally, so the customer-base is smaller, so the mass-market cost reductions are just not there. IMHO only. Bob, NZ5A Sent from my iPhone On Nov 29, 2012, at 8:29 PM, Terry Maurice ve3...@execulink.com wrote: On 29/11/2012 20:30, Jim Barber wrote: . FWIW, SSB Electronic is the only major supplier you didn't already name. Jim You have forgotten to mention Kuhne Electronic who are located in Germany. They make a range of very fine transverters, albeit expensive units. I have their 2m transverter and it is excellent. It too has a range of only 144 to 146MHz. Transverters are mostly designed for weak signal SSB and EME work. They are more sensitive than what is really needed for satellite work. Many commercial rigs do well with satellite communications. http://www.kuhne-electronic.de/en/products/transverter.html Terry ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] 5000A and PSDR 2.4.4 - 2M transverter above 146 mhz?
Back when I was wanting one, it wasn't for FM or even the satellites. Well, not man made ones anyway. With the condition of the satellite service these days, I had visions of operating good old OSCAR 0 (EME) I don't think that one will wear out in my lifetime. At least I hope not! MIchael On 11/29/2012 10:05 PM, Jim Barber wrote: Well... Me, I just want it ALL on a Flex. :-) - and Terry, yes, I forgot Kuhne, sorry. Great rigs. 73, Jim N7CXI On 11/29/2012 7:01 PM, Robert Logan wrote: I think 2M transverters are only for 144-146 because there's a plethora of 2M FM rigs already available, expensive and not expensive, single band and multi-band, mobile and fixed and handheld, new and used, and so on. If you want on FM, you got a large range of options to choose from. Weak signal work is much more demanding technically and operationally, so the customer-base is smaller, so the mass-market cost reductions are just not there. IMHO only. Bob, NZ5A Sent from my iPhone On Nov 29, 2012, at 8:29 PM, Terry Maurice ve3...@execulink.com wrote: On 29/11/2012 20:30, Jim Barber wrote: . FWIW, SSB Electronic is the only major supplier you didn't already name. Jim You have forgotten to mention Kuhne Electronic who are located in Germany. They make a range of very fine transverters, albeit expensive units. I have their 2m transverter and it is excellent. It too has a range of only 144 to 146MHz. Transverters are mostly designed for weak signal SSB and EME work. They are more sensitive than what is really needed for satellite work. Many commercial rigs do well with satellite communications. http://www.kuhne-electronic.de/en/products/transverter.html Terry ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] 5000A and PSDR 2.4.4 - 2M transverter above 146 mhz?
Jim, I am using an old Downeast Microwave 2 meter transceiver with my Flex-5000A using the Flex XCVR 10 meter IF connections. I have a pretty severe roll off on TX output from the transceiver in the satellite portion of 2 meters. At this point, I don't know if it is the transceiver or the 10M IF output. I am able to use the satellite 2M transmit frequencies, 145.8 to 146 MHz, but the output from the transceiver is nowhere near the 25W I can get at 144.200 MHz. The transceiver appears to be optimized for 144.2 MHz. I operate full duplex on the satellites and my audio quality sounds fine. I have transmitted above 146 MHz on the inputs of some FM repeaters. The roll off of the TX output is of course worst the higher in frequency I go. This is a low priority item for me, as I have 2M FM gear and rarely use it. I am using PowerSDR v2.4.4. I need to characterize the 10M IF output power from 28 to 32 MHz to see how flat it is. If someone has done this or has the right equipment to measure easily, that would be great. 73, Bill NJ1H On 11/28/2012 10:57 PM, Jim Barber wrote: I read in the release notes for PSDR 2.4.4 that: 12. Improved FLEX-5000 Transverter Operation. Band edge checking for the transverter IF has been relaxed, allowing out of ham band IF transmit on the transverter TX port. Also the 10m IF TX filter switch point has been moved to 32 MHz to allow for a wider IF transmit capabilities. Relaxed to what, and what is the practical upper limit? I saw where someone else asked this, but didn't find where it had been answered. My reason for asking is that I'd like to be able to use my 5000A with a transverter to cover the entire 2M band all-mode. Is that feasible? The radio transverter port(s) would need to work to 32 mHz with *reasonable* gain flatness, and I'd have to find a transverter that would cover the whole 4 mHz as well. Has anyone accomplished this and have it working? If so, what transverter are you using? I could go ferret most of this out on my own, but I'd like to know what limits the company intends to support, so I don't end up with a hole in my foot when PSDR is updated. Then the last question is if I decide to offload the VHF/UHF ops to a Flex 1500, are the rules and requirements different? So many questions... ;-) Thanks, Jim N7CXI ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
Re: [Flexradio] 5000A and PSDR 2.4.4 - 2M transverter above 146 mhz?
Hi Bill, thanks for the reply. I don't have anything that will measure power accurately those levels, but my 100mHz DSO should have relatively constant gain across that narrow a spread, and I can certainly measure RF voltage into a 50-ohm load. If I get time in the next couple of days I'll build a 50-ohm scope tap/load with a BNC on it and see what happens. The 5000A transverter RX is easier. I have a WaveTek generator with a fairly recent cal - I can sweep 28-32mHz at 50uV (or perhaps less to make sure the AGC stays out of it) and again see what happens. I'm not looking for trouble here - it just seems like a reasonable application for the 5000A, or perhaps the 1500. I haven't actually *used* 2M or 70cM FM in a couple of years now, but since I'm looking into it, why not go for it all? 73, Jim N7CXI On 11/28/2012 10:15 PM, Bill Bordy, NJ1H wrote: Jim, I am using an old Downeast Microwave 2 meter transceiver with my Flex-5000A using the Flex XCVR 10 meter IF connections. I have a pretty severe roll off on TX output from the transceiver in the satellite portion of 2 meters. At this point, I don't know if it is the transceiver or the 10M IF output. I am able to use the satellite 2M transmit frequencies, 145.8 to 146 MHz, but the output from the transceiver is nowhere near the 25W I can get at 144.200 MHz. The transceiver appears to be optimized for 144.2 MHz. I operate full duplex on the satellites and my audio quality sounds fine. I have transmitted above 146 MHz on the inputs of some FM repeaters. The roll off of the TX output is of course worst the higher in frequency I go. This is a low priority item for me, as I have 2M FM gear and rarely use it. I am using PowerSDR v2.4.4. I need to characterize the 10M IF output power from 28 to 32 MHz to see how flat it is. If someone has done this or has the right equipment to measure easily, that would be great. 73, Bill NJ1H On 11/28/2012 10:57 PM, Jim Barber wrote: I read in the release notes for PSDR 2.4.4 that: 12. Improved FLEX-5000 Transverter Operation. Band edge checking for the transverter IF has been relaxed, allowing out of ham band IF transmit on the transverter TX port. Also the 10m IF TX filter switch point has been moved to 32 MHz to allow for a wider IF transmit capabilities. Relaxed to what, and what is the practical upper limit? I saw where someone else asked this, but didn't find where it had been answered. My reason for asking is that I'd like to be able to use my 5000A with a transverter to cover the entire 2M band all-mode. Is that feasible? The radio transverter port(s) would need to work to 32 mHz with *reasonable* gain flatness, and I'd have to find a transverter that would cover the whole 4 mHz as well. Has anyone accomplished this and have it working? If so, what transverter are you using? I could go ferret most of this out on my own, but I'd like to know what limits the company intends to support, so I don't end up with a hole in my foot when PSDR is updated. Then the last question is if I decide to offload the VHF/UHF ops to a Flex 1500, are the rules and requirements different? So many questions... ;-) Thanks, Jim N7CXI ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/ ___ FlexRadio Systems Mailing List FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz http://mail.flex-radio.biz/mailman/listinfo/flexradio_flex-radio.biz Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/flexradio%40flex-radio.biz/ Knowledge Base: http://kc.flexradio.com/ Homepage: http://www.flexradio.com/
